Soil Fertility Status Research Articles

Results and prospects of optimization of agrochemical indicies of arable soils fertility in Belarus

A critical overview of dynamics of agrochemical indices of arable soils fertility over 50-year period is presented. The low-yield sod-podzol and swampy soils of Belarus were relatively poor in available plant nutrients. As a result of the largescale water engineering, liming and the intensive use of fertilizers over the period of 1965–2020 the productivity of arable land increased from 1.5 to 4.6 tons per hectare in grain equivalent. The significant improvement of soil fertility status was also achieved. Data of soil fertility status are based on the large-scale soil test monitoring conducted by State Agrochemical Service every 4–5 years. The share of strongly and moderately acid soils with pH < 5.0, that are harmful for the main crops, decreased from 66.8 % in 1970 to 4.5% of total area of arable land in 2004. However, the share of acid arable soils increased up to 9.8% in 2020, due to insufficient volume of liming that will be increased in the forthcoming years. The average organic matter (O.M.) content had been strongly increased from 1.77 to 2.28 % during the period of 1970–2000, due to high share of perennial grasses in cropping structure and manure application up to 14–15 t/ha per year. About 1 million ha of drained soils with the high O.M. content was also involved to arable land. The average O.M. content in the last two decades had been in mobile equilibrium of 2.23–2.27 % with a tendency to decline in some districts. The average contents of mobile Phosphorous and Potassium in arable soils increased up to 2.4–3.2 times during the experimental period and they are in the optimal range for cultivated crops. Currently balanced fertilization is the most important, with differentiation of fertilizer rates that would be most suitable to crop requirements and soil tests on each field. Formation and maintenance of optimal soil fertility indices, especially pH and mobile Р2О5 and К2О contents, are strictly controlled as protective measures on the land contaminated with radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr after Chernobyl accident. Measures to improve the efficiency of capital investment at fertility reproduction and use of arable soils are discussed currently.

Characterization of Vertisols Fertility Status and Their Implications on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Farming in Semi-Arid Areas of Itigi District in Tanzania

The study was conducted to assess biophysical and chemical properties of vertisols of Itigi District and examine their suitability for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) farming. Six soil composite samples were collected from top and subsoil of three selected farms used for growing chickpea and named as ITG-P1, ITG-P2 and ITG-P3. All profiles had a depth of 144 cm with heavy clay texture. pH levels varied from slight acidic to moderate alkaline, thus, favoring chickpea production. Exch. bases including Mg, K, and Na ranged from low to medium while Exch. Ca and CEC were high in all profiles, thereby, providing supportive environment for growth of chickpea. Available P was low and ranged from 0.54 to 2.10 mg/kg which was crucial for chickpea production necessitating fertilization with 30 to 80 kg of P2O5 /ha depending on the P available. The level of K varied as in ITG-P2 was adequate (>15 cmol(+)/kg) while in ITG-P1 and ITG-P3 was very low (<2 cmol(+)/kg) necessitating application of 30 kg of K2O/ha for chickpea production. Studied profiles had a slight difference in assessed characteristics, hence, the need to understand fertilizer demand for chickpea production was important. Understanding fertility status of soils is important before investing in crop production where such information is not known.

Soil fertility status and its possible sustainable agricultural packages in Bangladesh

Soil fertility describes the soil's capacity to support the growth of agricultural plants for predictable yields. Consequently, the present study was conducted on twenty one soil series of Bangladesh, including Sonatala, Sherpur, Ghatail, Balina, Melandaha, Tarakanda, Gorargaon, Karail, Raipur, Ruhea, Silmandi, Dhamrai, Jamun, Ishurdi, Ranisankail, Atwari, Gangachora, Pirgachha, Sulla, Birampur, and Gopalpurand to know the fertility status and its possible sustainable agricultural packages. The textural classes of the major soils were silt loam. The soils had the particle densities ranged from 1.79 to 2.50 g cm-3. The soil series from Sherpur and Gangachora had the highest particle density, while those from Karail and Gorargaon had the lowest value. Most soils reacted in a neutral to acidic manner, whereas the Ishurdi and Gopalpur series showed an alkaline response. Except Karail and Gorargaon, the organic matter status was very low to medium. The total N content of the soils ranged from 0.04 to 0.19%. The available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and available sulphur of soils ranged from 2.82 to 22.18 ppm, 0.09 to 0.26 meq/100g soil, and 2.90 to 20.30 ppm, respectively. The results revealed that the soils in the research area were very low to moderately fertile. Therefore, balance fertilizer must be applied in time in the study area. The fertilizer should be location-specific, cropping pattern-based, and based on soil testing. Beside this, a collection of management techniques have to be acknowledged and promoted to the farmer level as a package for sustainable agriculture that enhances food security.

PEMETAAN IRIGASI DAN PRODUKTIFITAS TANAH SAWAH DI DESA LAWELE KECAMATAN LASALIMU KABUPATEN BUTON

This study aims to determine the fertility status of irrigated paddy fields in various types of irrigation networks, as well as its relationship to crop productivity in the rice fields of Lawele Village, Lasalimu District, Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. This research was conducted from June to October 2022. The method used is a descriptive method through field surveys and analysis in the laboratory. Sampling was carried out in a moving sequence based on the type of irrigation channel, and soil samples were taken at a depth of (0-20) cm. Soil chemical parameters analyzed were C-organic, total P2O5, total K2O, KTK, and KB. Determination of fertility status is guided by the PPT Soil Research Center, Bogor (1995). Problems that occur in irrigation in Lawele Village, Lasalimu District, are uneven distribution and poor physical condition of irrigation networks, as well as low soil fertility and crop productivity for various types of irrigation. The results showed that the fertility status of irrigated paddy fields on each land irrigated with various types of irrigation networks was very low. Fertility parameters that become obstacles in this soil fertility status are total K, total P, and some soil organic C which causes low land productivity in irrigated rice fields in Lawele Village. This is due to the leaching of soil cations as well as the lack of application of organic fertilizers and NPK by irrigation. Keywords: Fertility, Productivity, Rice Field

The tempo-spatial changes of soil fertility in farmland of China from the 1980s to the 2010s

The grain yield level is closely related to soil fertility. To clarify the status and variations of soil fertility in Chinese farmland, soil sample profile data from the Soil Species of China in the 1980s and the Soil Series of China in the 2010s were collected. And surface soil data of fertility indexes (pH, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium) were calculated. The tempo-spatial variations characteristics of both soil fertility indexes and soil comprehensive fertility of Chinese farmland were analyzed with descriptive statistics, comparative analysis of paired sample points, and Integrated Fertility Index method. The results showed that: 1) The farmland soils in southern China were acidic and those in northern were alkaline. From the 1980s to the 2010s, the pH mean decreased by 0.34, and the acidification of soils in the southern region was more significant; 2) SOM and TN contents showed similar spatial patterns, with higher contents in southern and northeastern regions. Compared with the 1980s, the SOM mean and TN mean in the 2010s increased by 2.72 g/kg and 0.06 g/kg, respectively, with a decreasing trend in some areas; 3) The spatial distribution of TP and TK contents showed significant variability, with change range of the mean values was 0.15 g/kg and −1.51 g/kg during the three decades, respectively; 4) In general, the soil fertility in Chinese farmland was poor, with the most sample points at Grade IV (Mid-low) in the 2010s (22.38 %). During the three decades, the IFI mean increased by 0.01. The number of sample points with increasing IFI in eastern China was more than that in western China. And the soil fertility in eastern China showed a trend of ameliorating. This study would have great scientific significance for guiding agricultural fertilizer application and improving fertility in farmland soils.

Residual effect of shredded cotton (Gossypium species) stalks and fertility levels on productivity, quality parameters and economics of sweet corn (Zea mays)

A field experiment was carried out during the winter (rabi) season of 2020–21 on sandy clay loam soil of College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, to study the effect of incorporation of cotton (Gossypium sp.) stalk on soil-fertility status and yield of succeeding sweet corn (Zea mays L.). The treatments comprised 2 levels of residue management, viz. shredded cotton stalks incorporation and no incorporation, and 5 fertility levels, viz. control, 75% Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 100% RDF, 125% RDF and 150% RDF, making 10 treatment combinations. There was no significant impact of residue incorporation on yield and quality parameters of sweet corn over the residue removal but NPK uptake was enhanced with cotton-stalk incorporation. However, higher net returns and benefit : cost (B : C) ratio were obtained with residue removal plots. An application of 150% RDF (300 : 90 : 75 kg NPK/ha) resulted in the significant increase in yield and was at par with 125% RDF (250 : 75 : 62.5 kg NPK/ha). Quality parameter, viz. crude protein (11.6%), was higher with the application of 150% RDF, being at par with 125% RDF. The higher gross returns, net returns and B : C ratio were obtained with 150% RDF. It would be, therefore, advisable to apply 125% RDF (250 : 75 : 62.5 kg NPK/ha) to sweet corn. The interaction effect between residue management and fertility levels was non-significant for all the parameters of sweet corn.

Economics and fertility status of organic and inorganic fertilizer-applied soil in sweet corn (Zea mays) cultivation

A rainfed field experiment was laid out during the rainy season of 2019 at the Research farm of Raj Mohini Devi College of Agriculture and Research Station, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on economic viability and residual nutrient status of soil in sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata). The experiment comprised 2 sources of organic manures, viz. vermicompost and FYM together with no organic manure and 3 levels of fertilizers, viz. 50%, 75% and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (120, 60 & 40 kg N, P and K/ha respectively) and replicated trice. The result showed that, the application of 3 t vermicompost/ha resulted in the highest growth and yield attributes as well as cob and fodder yields, followed by 5 t FYM/ha and both these treatments proved significantly superior to no organic manure. However, 100% RDF recorded higher value of these parameters and was found significantly superior to 75% and 50% RDF. The highest dehusked cob yield (14.9 t/ha) and net returns (` 147,265.2/ha) were obtained with 3.0 t vermicompost/ha + 100% RDF. Different organic sources did not cause any significant effect on available N, P and K but significantly enhanced organic carbon content of the soil. Nutrient levels had significant effect on available N, P and K of the soil at harvesting.

Evaluation of the fertility status of flooded soils in the Saharsa District, Bihar

The sampling location was Saharsa, which is one of Bihar's most flood-prone area Flooding is the leading source of soil degradation in the district. The current study was carried out in the Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry laboratory at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences. 27 samples were collected from several farmer's fields, and composite sampling was carried out from three depths of 0-15, 15-30, and 30-45 cm. The results revealed that the texture was sandy loam to sandy clay, bulk density ranged from 1.11 to 1.59 Mg/m3, particle density ranged from 2.22 to 2.85 Mg/m3, pore space ranged from 52.60 to 66.50 % and water holding capacity ranged from 61.11 to 78.12 %. The pH ranged from 6.58 to 7.65, E.C. from 0.17 to 0.39 dS/m,(Due to Flooding) Soil Organic Carbon ranged from 0.74 to 1.20 %, Soil has acceptable Bd, Pd, pore space, and water holding capacity. As a result of the beneficial electrical conductivity for plants, the pH of the soil is neutral to alkaline. Sodium is low to medium in range. Low to medium levels of macronutrients are found in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulphur. By employing the proper management techniques and supplying the soil with enough nourishment for plant growth, farmers must maintain the health of their soil.

Mapping Soil Parameters with Environmental Covariates and Land Cover Projection in Tropical Rainforest, Hangadi Watershed, Ethiopia

Machine learning and geostatistics are efficient techniques for investigating the geographic distribution of soil properties. This study’s objectives were to assess soil fertility status, map the spatial variability of selected soil parameters and compare random forest with ordinary kriging. Soil samples were collected to analyze parameters: pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and organic carbon (OC) using systematic sampling. Some environmental covariates were used in the machine learning process: a digital elevation model (DEM) collected from USGS distributing shuttle radar topography mission data and a LULC map generated from a 30-year time series (1988–2018) of Landsat 8. Georeferenced samples were sent to Batu Soil Research Laboratory. pH, CEC and OC were mapped and status was determined using random forest and ordinary kriging. Random forest was more accurate with low mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of determination (high R2). In random forest, pH varied between 5.03 and 5.76 and ordinary kriging pH ranged from 4.96 to 5.76. pH was greater in cultivated land. CEC and OC were higher in the forest. The higher pH in cultivated land was due to grass coverage and minimal tillage. The addition of organic matter and CEC to a forest may result in higher OC. Environmental covariates (topographic, bands, NDVI and LULC) were used to predict the gradients of pH, OC and CEC. For pH, OC and CEC, DEM was the most important predictor. CEC was high in low landscape, but low in high landscape positions. Low OC requires composting, fallow and organic fertilizers. Future research should include the remaining predictors: physiochemical and lithological data to improve the performance of random forest.

Soil moisture content and fertility status of soil through intercropping of medicinal crops in guava orchard of Northern India

Soil moisture content and fertility status of soil through intercropping of medicinal crops in guava orchard of Northern India

Soil fertility status and physio-agronomic performance of wheat grown under contrasting tillage and weed management scenarios

Soil fertility status and physio-agronomic performance of wheat grown under contrasting tillage and weed management scenarios

A Comparative Study of Gut Enzymes and Nest Materials of Three Mound Building Termites of Eastern India

Termites are found to digest a wide variety of lignocellulosic biomass including wood with high lignin content by the aid of unique cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic microorganisms. A research gap is realized in works associated with termite gut enzyme activities in India. Therefore, the present work is focused on the comparison of termite gut enzyme activities among epigeous, subterranean, arboreal termites and the physicochemical properties of respective mound soils collected from Sambalpur University Campus, Odisha, India. The mound building termites (subterranean and epigeous) showed significantly more cellulase, xylanase and phosphatase enzyme activities than the arboreal termites. The enzyme activities showed efficient correlation with organic carbon, total nitrogen, available potassium and water holding capacity of respective mound materials. This particular study has provided new information regarding the contribution of three distinct termite species towards soil fertility status. Further, a high quantity of nutrients accumulated in subterranean termite mound soils along with high enzyme activities by subterranean species, O obesus in our study, can be considered a hotspot for microbial concentration, which can be exploited for biofuel production, and mound soil as soil amendment, bioremediation and bio-filtration purpose.

Indigenous agricultural knowledge: A neglected human based resource for sustainable crop protection and production

Indigenous knowledge, developed over generations and owned by communities or individuals within a community, offers alternative strategies and perspectives on resource management and use. However, as emphasized in the contemporary agricultural history of Ethiopia, the most effective indigenous agricultural knowledge has not been well documented and some of them are replaced by modern techniques. This study was therefore conducted to assess and document community-based techniques to control pests and diseases and the practical implications of indigenous farming techniques. A focus group discussion, key informant interviews and semi-structured questionnaires were conducted with 150 farmers. The result showed that a substantial number (92%) of the farming community uses indigenous based plant protection measures. Indigenous farmers (92%) splash liquids made of cow urine to control the adverse effect of fungi. Farmers are also using different seed selection methods for next season planting. About 29% of the farmers do single head-based seed selection prior to mass harvesting, 34% are collected as “Qerm” and 45% select their seeds during threshing. Indigenous farming knowledge varies with the natural feature of the growing location and cropping system, including the rainfall pattern, soil fertility status, crop, and weed type. The observed positive effect of indigenous agricultural practices on crop production substantiates the need to include these essential approaches in the cultivation system along with the modern agronomic techniques. This might reduce the dependency on expensive and pollutant agricultural inputs. However, sociodemographic factors such as educational level, marital status and farming experience have been found as a determinant factor that influences utilization of indigenous farming knowledge. It can be therefore inferred that documenting indigenous knowledge and proving its applicability scientifically could contribute to organically oriented agricultural production and consequently reduce agriculture's contribution to environmental pollution.

The Utility of Airborne Hyperspectral Measurement in Assessment of Soil Fertility

A study was undertaken to evaluate the correlation between hyperspectral data with soil fertility status in the study area of Chinnapalem village Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. One hudredfifty-three (153) samples were collected at different locations with GPS coordinates by adopting grid method. The hyperspectral data revealed that soil reaction, available Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn showed positive and significant correlation between VIS-NIR region of electromagnetic spectrum. However, EC and available S were negative and significant throughout VIS and SWIR. From, Stepwise regression approach the poorest fit was observed in all the properties although the highest accuracy (R2=0.467) was found for available zinc, while lowest predictability (R2=0.028) was for sand.

Oslava Uhorska v básni Juraja Henischa

Georg Henisch was originally from Bardejov but spent his entire life as a doctor and a teacher at the Gymnasium of St. Anna in the German town of Augsburg. Henisch also composed several poems during his studies, and these works are less well known than his other writings. Henisch wrote a so-called propempticon, a valedictory poem of farewell, in 1571 on the occasion of the return home of the future evangelical pastor of Slovenská Ľupča, Ján Janči. An obligatory component of the propempticon is praise for the destination or the homeland of the traveller, and in Henisch’s poem 58 of the 148 hexameters are devoted to praising the Kingdom of Hungary. The poet’s description of Hungary is influenced by the image of the country which was widespread in Western Europe in this period and was based on a series of topoi: fertilitas Hungariae, Hungary as a land blessed with rich soil; propugnaculum Christianitatis, Hungary as the shield of Christendom, protecting Christianity from the Ottoman Empire; and querela Hungariae, the lament of Hungary and the appeal for aid against the Turks. Henisch follows this pattern closely, and he describes Hungary as an ideal country, with fertile soil and excellent natural conditions, the homeland of hard-working people and great rulers who will drive out their powerful enemies. The work also mentions the Turkish enemies who are ravaging the land, but Hungary has splendid and fearless leaders, and the poet expresses the hope that the saints will never allow the country to perish.

Effect of weed management on yield-attributing characters of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Mill.) during 2018–19 and 2019–20 at Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The Pre-emergence application of Pendimethalin 30% EC @ 0.90 kg a.i./ha 2 days after sowing and one hand weeding 60 days after sowing recorded higher grain yield (20.15 q/ha) as compared to the control, i.e. one hand weeding 45 days after sowing (17.75 q/ha). There was 13.52% increase in yield over the control. The technology index value (19.4) was recorded, indicating the gap in potential and demonstration yield due to soil fertility and weather conditions. By conducting on- farm testing of proven technology of weed management, yield potential of fennel can be increased.

Influence of gas industry waste on the ecological condition of soils

The article discusses the accumulation of various harmful compounds and heavy metals in the soil as a result of the wastes of the gas processing enterprise of the “Shurtangazkimyo” complex and their negative impact on soil fertility and ecological conditions. The irrigated light serozem soils around the “Shurtangazkimyo” complex are extremely poor in humus. As a result of the impact of waste, the biological processes in the soil are weakened, and the accumulation of organic substances is reduced. The accumulation of various harmful compounds and heavy metals in the soil as a result of the activities of the “Shurtangazkimyo” complex has a negative effect on the productivity and ecological condition of the light serozem soils distributed in this area. Keywords: “Shurtangazkimyo” complex, waste, soil, heavy metals, fertility, environment, humus, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, nitrate, ammonium, quantity.

Study of soil fertility status of soil under intensive cultivation system of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India

Study of soil fertility status of soil under intensive cultivation system of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India

Smart Soil Property Analysis Using IoT: A Case Study Implementation in Backyard Gardening

Crop growth and the agricultural ecosystem are both affected by inappropriate soil fertility ranges. Soil fertility management practices help to efficient use of fertilizer and organic compost and selecting appropriate crops based on soil conditions. But, farmers randomly applied fertilizers without analysing their soil nutrients status. These unbalanced agrochemical inputs contaminate agricultural resources. Laboratory soil analysis procedures help to track soil fertility status. However, the laboratory soil analysis practices are insufficient for Indian farmers. Recent research and development show an On-field soil property monitoring system. Furthermore, internet-based soil fertility monitoring aids farmers in increasing productivity and optimizing resources. This paper presents the prototype based on a smart soil fertility prediction system based on the Internet of Things (IoT). The prototype model was tested and analysed on home gardening application and monitoring the spinach crop growth. This soil fertility prediction system encourages cost-effective direct field measurement in agriculture. To test the accuracy of the prototype, the sensor result was compared with the laboratory analysis result. For soil pH measurements the sensor result is 6 and the laboratory test result is 6.7. similarly, for soil EC measurement the sensor value is 0.48 and the laboratory result is 0.64. The soil pH and EC comparison results show that only a slight variation is present between the sensor and laboratory value i.e for pH 0.7 % and EC 0.16% difference are present. The analysed result shows that the proposed prototype model is efficient for on-field monitoring in gardening. Further, the measured data are stored in the cloudMQTT server, and they can be utilized for ago decision-making applications.

Studies on the Physical, Chemical, and Biological properties of the soil of Jasra village of Prayagraj district, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

An assessment of the soil fertility status of Jasra village of Prayagraj District, Uttar Pradesh carried out in 2022-2023. The prime objectives of this study were to carry out the Physical, Chemical and Biological properties of soil at different depths of various sites of Jasra village, to determine the availability of macro and micronutrients on the soil of these soil samples and provide Soil Health Card for the village. For the assessment, 10 sampling locations were selected. Soil samples were collected at the depth of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm respectively. The Soil colour (Dry Condition) of soil varied from Olive yellow to Olive grey and Soil (wet Condition) varied from Olive brown to Dark greyish brown. Soil textural class was sandy loam. It clearly indicated that the soil has good Water Holding capacity (33.45 to 42.82%) and good physical condition, Bulk density (1.23 to 1.37 Mg m-3). Particle density (2.223 to 2.405 Mg m-3). % Pore Space (38.45 to 48.34 %). The pH of the soil is slightly saline in nature (7.50 to 7.92) and the Electrical conductivity (0.10 to 0.35 dS m1 ) was suitable for all the crops. Organic carbon ranged from low to medium (0.25 to 0.43%). These soils have low to medium Nitrogen (126.42 to 234.68 kg ha-1), Phosphorus (11.48 to 24.82 kg ha-1), and Potassium (141.53 to 178.33 kg ha-1), in all the sites. Calcium (1.20 to 2.90 Meq 100g-1 of soil) and Magnesium (0.20 to 2.20 Meq 100g-1 of soil) are sufficient in soil. Sulphur (3.58 to 9.35 ppm) content was found deficient in the sites of the village. The Zinc (0.36 to 1.28 ppm) was also found low to medium at the different sites of the village. The bacterial (32 to 260 CFU g-1 of soil) and fungal (15 to 29 CFU g-1 of soil) colony was found low in cereals-grown fields but found sufficient in vegetable-grown fields. There is an awareness of the need to pay greater attention to the role of macronutrients and micronutrient enhancement for good soil health and proper nutrition of plants to attain optimum economic yield and soil is suitable for all major tropical and sub-tropical crops.